Typographical composing machine



Dec. 11, 1934. W J MULROY 1,983,633

TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPOSING MACHINE Filed June 1, 1953 6 Sheets-Sheet l IIII'II INVENTOR. w.

Dec. 11, 1934. w, J. MULROY 1,983,633

TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPOSI'NG MACHINE Filed June 1, 1955 s Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

A TTORNE Y5:

1934- W. J. MULROY 1,983,633

TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPOSING MACHINE Filed June 1, 1933 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR BY I W rw

Dec. 11, 1934. w. .1. MULROY TYPOGRAPHICAL coMFosIN MACHINE Filed June 1, 1933 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fr 6'. B

INVENTOR.

1934- V w. J. MULROY 1,983,633

TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPOSING MACHINE Filed June 1, 1933 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Vlllllll Patented Dec. 11, 1934 NITED STATES TYPOGRAPHICAL COMPOSING MACHINE William J. Mulroy; Woodhaven, N. Y., assignor to Mergenthaler Linotype Company, a corporaticn of New York Application June 1, 1933, Serial na'svasze 11 Claimsf (01. 199-18) This invention relates to typographical machines, such as linotype machines of the general organization represented in Letters Patent of the United States to O. Mergenthaler' No. 436,532, wherein circulating matrices are released from a magazine in the order in which their characters are to appear in print, and then assembled. in line, the composed line transferred to the face of a mold, the mold filled with molten metal to form a slug or linotype against the matrices which produce the type characters thereon, and the matrices thereafter elevated and returned through distributing mechanism to the magazine from which they started.

More particularly, it relates to machines of the kind presented in prior Letters Patent Nos. 1,561,244 and The present invention is directed to certain im-- provements in machines of the class stated, as

will be fully set forth in the detailed description to follow.

In the accompanying drawings, the improvements have been illustrated merely in preferred form and by way of example, and as applied to the particular style of machine mentioned, but obviously many changes and variations may be made therein, and in their mode of application, which will still be com'prisedwithin the spirit of the invention. Further, the improvements are readily adaptable to other forms of typographical machines, such as those that handle types or dies, instead of matrices. Generally speaking, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to any specific form or embodiment, except insofar as such limitations are specified in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a portion of a linotype machine equipped with the improvements;

Fig. 2 is essentially a vertical section taken through the keyboard devices associated with the main magazines, and showing the connections to the auxiliary magazine in inoperative position;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the connections to the auxiliary magazine in operative position;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2, and looking in the direction of the arrow;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view of a portion of the keyboard devices; I

Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken through the escapement devices associated with the auxiliary magazines; I

Fig. 7 is a rear elevation of the electrical escapement control devices for the auxiliary magazines; and 1 a Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but showing a modificationor alternative embodiment of the invention.

In the machine illustrated, which is given purely by way of example, the matrices X of the regular fonts are stored in two or more superposed main magazines A,-while the matrices Z of the supplemental fontsare similarly stored in two superposed auxiliary magazines B, the latter being arranged atthe side of or in tandem with the main magazines. The main magazines A are of the customary trapezoidal form, each having its grooved channels (ninety in' number) converging toward its'lower end and spaced apart to accommodate the smaller matrices of the regular fonts; whereaa'the' auxiliary magazines B are of plain rectangular" shape, each having its grooved channels (thirty four in number) parallel throughout and more widely spaced apart to accommodate the larger matrices of the supplemental fonts. Cooperating with the magazines, is a common assembler entrance having a main portion C arrangedto receive the matrices X from a selected one of the main magazines A, and an auxiliary portion C arranged to receive the matrices Z from a selected one of the auxiliary magazines B, it being observed that both portions C and C discharge the matrices onto an assembling belt C which delivers them to an as sembler C wherein they are composed in line. Both the main and auxiliary magazines are movably mounted so that by theoperation of suitable magazines shifting mechanism any selected pair may be brought into operative relation to the common assembler entrance. Any of the well known forms of mounting may be employed for this purpose, such as that embodied in the already referred to), one escapement for each channel thereof, and these escapements, or those belonging to the magazines in operative position, are actuated by a set of vertically movable reeds D which act thereon through intermediate pivoted levers (not shown). The auxiliary magazines B are provided with similar escapements E actuated in the same fashion by a second set of vertically movable reeds E through intermediate pivoted levers E According to the present invention, the two sets of actuating reeds are operated by two corresponding sets of power driven elements under the control of a single keyboard G means being provided for shifting the control of the proper finger keys of said keyboard to either set of power driven elements, so as thus to effect the release of matrices from the operative main or auxiliary magazine, as desired.

The power driven elements for the main set of reeds D are of well known construction, comprising (Figs. 2 and 3) two banks or series of pivoted yokes or levers D rotary cams or eccentrics D journalled thereon, two power driven rolls D and two rows of trip dogs D all operating in the usual way. The power driven elements for the auxiliary set of reeds E are of the same construction, comprising (Fig. 6) a single bank or series of pivoted yokes or levers E rotary cams or eccentrics E journalled thereon, a single power driven roll E and a single ,row of trip dogs E When it is desired to draw matrices from the main magazine in operative position, the various finger keys G (ninety in number) are connected through slides D and their respective trip dogs D to the main set of cam yokes D see Fig. 2. On the other hand, when it is desired to draw matrices from the auxiliary magazine in operative position, the connections between certain of (the trip dogs D and their respective cam yokes D is broken by means of a member K which is raised to lift the yokes out of engagement with the trip dogs, see Fig. 3, and at the same time a connection is established between the corresponding SlldQS D" and a similar series of slides E connected with the auxiliary set of trip dogs 13! and cam yokes E provision being made to eifect the change from the main set of cams and yokes to the auxiliary set, and vice versa, as required.

According to the present invention, the slides E are actuated by a corresponding series of electro-magnets S under the control of the finger keys G through the slides D and intermediate electric connections. As best shown in Figs. 6

and '7, the magnets S are mounted side by side in an insulated channeled support S secured to a panel S which is fastened to the machine rearwardly of the slides E A corresponding series of levers E are pivotally mounted in the panel S one end of each lever being in engagement with a slide E and the other end normally located above one of the magnets S and serving as an armature which, when attracted by the magnet and rocked about its pivot, raises the slide E with which it is engaged and thereby trips the corresponding dog E to throw the associated cam E into action.

The electric connections between the slides D and the magnets S comprise a series or bank of contact points or fingers H (see Figs. 2 and 3), individually secured by screws h to a panel H arranged at the back of the keyboard. A corresponding series of contact points H individually secured to an insulated support H by screws h are arranged so that each contacts with one of the points H The insulated support H carries a conductor plate H, which overhangs the front edge of the support H as at 72 presenting a continuous surface in alinement with and spaced apart from the front or free ends of the contact points H and a single contact point H secured to the panel H by a screw 71 is arranged to engage at all times with the conductor plate H A plurality of wires H lead from the contact points H through a cable 11 (Fig. l) to a series of posts in the form of screws 8 (Fig. '7) arranged on an insulated panel 3, which is fastened to the machine in proximity to the magnets S. The magnets S are connected to the posts s by wires s and are grounded to the machine by wires 3 leading to posts 8 arranged on the panel S As indicated in Fig. 3, the contact point H is connected with a source of electric current supply, as by the wire H and the circuit completed by grounding the wire H to a suitable part of the machine. Of course, the wiring as shown in the drawings is merely diagrammatic, and obviously the circuit may be established as desired.

For effecting the shift from the main magazine in operative position to the auxiliary magazine in operative position, the member K (see Figs. 2, 3 and 5) is formed with lateral flanges K to engage the cam yokes D and raise them from engagement with the trip dogs D as already stated,

and the support H which carries the contact points H is mounted for fore-and-aft movement to bring the front or free ends of the contacts E into vertical alinement with insulated bumpers H on the slides D.

To raise the member K and shift the support H there is employed a finger key J pivotally mounted as at J on a support J secured to a bracket G at the side of the keyboard G The finger key J is of the broken-lever type, comprising arms J and J cooperatively held together by a wire spring J 5 arranged at the pivot point J and bearing against the arms J 3 and J and which is limited in its action by a bent-over end J G of the arm J adapted to engage the top edge of the arm J Pivotally mounted on the arm J as at J is a locking key J normally held in the position shown in Fig. 2 by a Wire spring J and being formed with a catch J adapted to engage a retaining lug J carried by the bracket J A tension spring J one end of which is secured to the arm J and the other end to a pin J at the side of the keyboard, maintains the finger key J in its normal inactive position shown in Fig. 2.

lhe rear end of the arm J (Fig. 5) is connected to a lever arm J by a pin J the opposite end of the lever arm J being pinned fast to a rock shaft J extending transversely of the key board and rotatably supported in side frames G and G thereof. The rock shaft J has pinned to it a pair of bell-crank levers J which carry the support H bearing the contact points H (Fig. 4),

the levers J being secured to opposite ends of the support H by screw bolts J which pass through the levers at their bend. At the free end of each of the levers J there is provided a pin J adapted to engage the underside of the support H and limit its movement to inactive position, as will be pointed out hereafter in the description of the operation of the invention.

The member K extends transversely of the key board G directly beneath the inner ends of the cam yokes D and is supported at opposite ends by a pair of arms is and W, the former being mounted on the connecting pin J at the left of the keyboard, and the latter on a similar pin J at the right of'the keyboard. It 'will'b'e" recalled that thepin J 'connec-ts the fingerkey J 'to thelever arm J which is pinned to the rock shaft J and'hence when the key J is depressed the pin J is carried upwardly, its upward movement i -(the member K) maintains a substantially horizontal position-during its vertical movement.

The release of matrices from the main magazine inoperative positionhas already been described, and, moreover, is effected in the ordinary manner well known to those skilled in the art (see- Fig. 2). In utilizing the'present invention to draw matrices from theauxiliary magazine inoperative position, the finger key J is depressed, rocking the'shaft J through the lever arm J 3 to rotate'the bell-cranklevers J andmove the support I-I forwardly to position the free ends of the contact points H directly above the bumpers H on the slides D (see Fig. 3) The depressio-n'of the key J also moves the member K vertically, as already described, the flanges K engaging the innerends of the cam yokes D and disconnecting" them from their respective trip dogs D (see"also Fig. 3). In'this conditionxof the parts, depression of one of the afiected finger keys G willraise the corresponding slideD but thecorre'sponding cam D will not be thrown into action"becauseof the disengagement of its sup: porting yoke D 'fromthe respective trip dog D Instead, the bumper'H on the slide D will strike the free endof the'con'tact point 1-1 which has been moved into vertical alinement therewith,

causing'it to bend and contact with'the conduc-v tor plate H to close the electric circuit previously described and'energize the corresponding magnet S, causing the latter to attract its associated lever 'magazine, in'which'case the finger key J is held depressed during the entire operation. When the desired number" of matrices have been selected, the pressure 'on thefinger key J is relieved and the parts automatically restored'totheir original condition by the spring J for drawing matrices from the main magazine, the action of the spring b-einglimited by the engagement of the pins J with the underside of the support H Kit is desired to draw a large number of matrices successively' from the auxiliary magazine, the shift iselfected byxdepressing the locking keyJ the arrangement being such that the spring J wil1' maintain the lever'arms'J? and J in'normal f conditionuntil the shift is complete, whereafter additional movement ofjthe arm J to carry the catch J 'into engagement" with the lug J is effected by overcoming the tension of the spring J To allow'the parts tobe returned to normal position by the spring 'J as just described, the

" finger keyJ isdepressedto relieve the pressure of the catch J against the lug J whereupon ithe spring J swings the locking key about its pivot J carrying the catch J clear of the lug J A modification of the invention is shown in Fig. 8, wherein aseriesof levers O are pivotally mounted as at O on a support N slidably mounted for fore-and-aft movement on a bracket R arrangedrearwardly of the reeds D and above the main set of power driven elements.

The levers O are provided at one end with insulated with raised portions 0 adapted normally to occupy spaces d between the reeds D and short slides d to establish a connection between said slides'and reeds. In this position of the parts, the main magazine in operative position is under the control of the finger keys G.

To shift the control of the keyboard tothe auxiliary magazine in operative position, the parts are moved to the fullline position shown inFig. 8, with the insulated lever tips 0 in position to act upon the contact points H to close the circuit to the magnets S, the electrical connections being identical with those described in connection with the preferred embodiment except that the support H is inverted and arranged at a higher level on the panel H tips 0 and'adjacent the opposite end are formed The means for effecting the movement or shift 7 of the support-N comprises a finger key P provided with a lock-key P and pivotally mounted at the side of the keyboard as at 1 on a bracket P The inner end of the finger key P is bifurcated as at P to adapt it for engagement with a pin arranged at the distal end of a lever arm M which is fastened to a rock shaft M journalled in a bracket M supported at the rear of the keyboard. Another lever M secured to the shaft M2, bifurcated at its distal end as at M and adapted for engagement with a pin N formed on a lug N 1 depending from the support N.

Normally the support N and the series of levers 0 carried thereby occupy the position shown by the dotted lines, being held therein by a tension spring M and in which condition of the parts the actuation of the finger keys G will effect the release of matrices from the main magazine in operative position. When the finger key P is depressed, the lever M is rotated against the tension of the spring M causing the shaft M to be rocked and to move the lever M to the solid line position. This movement of the lever M shifts .the support N rearwardly, breaking the connection between'the slides d and the reeds D by carrying the raised portions 0 of the levers Q from beneath the lower ends of the reeds. The ends 0 of the levers 0, however, remain in engagement with the slides (1, so that the elevation of any one of the latter by one of the cam yokes D will cause the respective lever 0 to be rocked about its pivot 0 This rockingof lever 0 causes the insulated end portion 0 thereof to engage and depress the contact point H carried by the insulated support H into engagement with the conductor plate H also carried by said support, thereby closing the circuit and energizing the respective magnet S in the manner already set forth in the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention. As in the case of the preferred embodiment, the key P is held depressed for the release of one or a few matrices'from the auxiliary magazine, but for locking the parts in auxiliary position the looking key P is depressed until its catch p engages with a'lugp 'on the bracketl.

, tion of the power driven elements associated with the escapement devices of the auxiliary magazines. Briefly, when a finger key G is depressed, a cam D is thrown into action causing its yoke D to raise the corresponding slide (1 and actuate its associated lever O, which operates to close the electric circuit as described and energize a magnet S to effect the operation or the cam yoke E under its control and release a matrix from the auxiliary magazine in operative position.

The invention has been illustrated and described in connection with a machine of the linotype class equipped with main and auxiliary magazines arranged in tandem, and as applied to the machine for effecting the operation of the auxiliary set of power driven elements. It is obvious, however, that the invention is adaptable for operating the main set of power driven elements as well, and particularly in instances where a small keyboard is employed which renders it diflicult, if not impossible, to obtain a practicable direct mechanical connection between the finger keys and the power driven elements. The invention is adaptable for any indirect or remote control for the release of matrices from the magazine in which they are stored, and, furthermore, although it is shown and described as controlling the operation of the ordinary power driven elements, which in their operation bring about a delay in releasing the matrices from their magazine essential to a linotype machine to prevent transposition of the matrices during composition, it may be used to operate the magazine escapements in conjunction with any suitable form of mechanical or electrical means for effecting the desired delay. As already stated, the invention has been shown only in preferred form and by way of example, and as applied to a machine of the class referred to, and obviously many modifications and alterations therein, and their mode of application, will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departure from its scope. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention is not limited to any specific construction or arrangement of parts, except insofar as such limitations are specified in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim is:

1. In a typographical machine, the combination of two magazines arranged side by side or in tandem, and each provided with escapements,

two sets of escapement actuating devices, one for each magazine, two corresponding independent sets of power driven elements for operating said devices, a keyboard, mechanical connections between the finger keys of said keyboard and one set of power driven elements, electrical connections between certain selected finger keys of said keyboard and the other set of power driven elements, and means for shifting the control of the selected finger keys to either set of power driven elements, as required.

2. In a typographical machine, the combina tion of two magazines arranged side by side or in tandem and each provided with escapements, two sets of escapement actuating devices, one for each magazine, two corresponding independent sets of power driven elements for operating said devices, one of said sets of power driven elements being under mechanical control and the other set under electrical control, a keyboard, and means operative tobreak the mechanical connections between certain selected finger keys and the corresponding power driven elements of one set and to establish electrical connections between said selected finger keys and the corresponding power driven elements of the other set, and vice versa.

3. A combination as in 'claim 2, wherein the power driven elements of the mechanicallycontrolled set include a series of cams supported by yokes engaged by trip dogs actuated each by a finger key, and wherein the connections between said power driven elements and the selected finger keys are broken by lifting the cam yokes out of engagement with the trip dogs.

4. A combination as in claim 2, wherein the connections between the selected fingerkeys and the power driven elements of the electrically controlled set are established by moving a bank of contact points into position to be acted upon by the actuation of said finger keys to momentarily close the circuit through the contact points.

5. A combination as in claim 2, wherein the power driven elements of the mechanically controlled set include a series of cams supported by yokes engaged by trip dogs actuated each by a finger key, and wherein the connections between said power driven elements and the selected finger keys are broken by lifting the cam yokes out of engagement with the trip dogs, and the connections between the selected finger keys and the power driven elements of the electrically controlled set are established by mo'vinga bank of contact points into position to be acted upon by the actuation of said finger keys to momentarily close the circuit through the contact points.

6. A combination as in claim 2, wherein the connections tothe power driven elements of the electrically controlled set comprise a series of magnets each adapted, when energized, to attract an armature which acts through means associated with one of the power driven elements to throw the latter into action.

7. In a typographical machine, the combination of twomagazines arranged side by side or in tandem and each provided with escapements, two sets of escapement actuating devices, one for each magazine, two corresponding independent sets of power driven elements for operating said devices, a keyboard, connections between the finger keys of said keyboard and one set of power driven elements for controlling the operation of said elements by the actuation of said keys, electrically operated means for effecting the operation of the other set of power driven elements, and means actuated by the first-mentioned set of power driven elements in response to the actuation of appropriate finger keys to effect the operaticn of the other set of power driven elements by said electrically operated means.

8. In a typographical machine, the combination of two magazines arranged side by side or in tandem and each provided with escapements, two sets of escapement actuating devices, one for each magazine, two corresponding independent sets of power driven elements for operating said devices, a keyboard, connections between the finger keys of said keyboard and one set of power driven elements for controlling the operation of said elements by the actuation of said keys, electrically operated means for efiecting the operation of the other set of power driven elements, means actuated by the first-mentioned set of power driven elements in response to the actuation of appropriate finger keys to efiect the operation of the other set of power driven elements by said electrically operated means, and means for shifting the control of the appropriate finger keys from one to both sets of power driven elements, and vice versa, as required.

9. In a typographical machine, the combination of two magazines arranged side by side or in tandem and each provided with escapements, two sets of escapernent actuating devices, one for each magazine, two corresponding independent sets of power driven elements for operating said devices, a keyboard, connections between the finger keys of said keyboard and one set of power driven elements for controlling the operation of said elements by the actuation of said keys, electrically operated means for efiecting the operation of the other set of power driven elements, and means for breaking the connections between the appropriate power driven elements of the first-mentioned set and corresponding escapement devices and establishing a connection between said appropriate power driven elements and the other set of power driven elements.

10. A combination as in claim '7, wherein the electrically operated means for effecting the operation of the second set of power driven elements comprises a series of independently operable magnets each adapted, when energized, to set one of the power driven elements in operation, and wherein the means actuated by the first-mentioned set of power driven elements to effect the operation of the other set of power driven elements includes a series of pivotally mounted levers each adapted, when actuated by its respective power driven element, to close an electric circuit and energize the corresponding magnet.

11. A combination as in claim 7, wherein the means actuated by the first-mentioned set of power driven elements to effect the operation of the second set of power driven elements includes a series of pivotally mounted levers, each lever being adapted normally to establish a connection between a power driven element and an escapement actuating device for the main magazine, said levers being insulated and mounted on a support movable to break the connection with its associated escapement actuating device and establish an operative connection between the levers and a corresponding series of electric contact points.

WILLIAM J. MULROY. 

